Start by stop doing what it was you were doing
HENRY BECHELET is not convinced
quality greens? The STRI’s
Do you have to use stress to achieve high
WHY COMPROMISE? My enemy’s enemy
A common misconception about the way in which we favour the finer grass is that you have to use stress as the driving force, i.e. starve and drought, and the browntop bents and fine fescues will come. You will lose playing quality along the way, but with the promise of better things ahead. It is certainly a commonly held perception. I am not convinced.
The Disturbance Theory offers a different approach to achieving the finer grasses, and one that doesn’t compromise on playing quality. The approach is about appreciating the nature of all the grasses, not just focussing on the weakness of the annual meadow-grass. It produces strong surfaces that can be managed for speed and trueness. In the game of golf there is nothing more important than playing quality. With an appreciation of the nature of the finer grasses you can favour them without compromise. Many people are already following this method without any problems.
The Disturbance Theory aims to give you a better understanding of the nature of the grasses to allow you to manage for the finer species better. Try “Changing the Nature of Your Greens” at
stri.co.uk as an introduction. The article tells how each grass species has adapted to take advantage of different situations. Their growth strategies give rise to strengths and weaknesses. The insight is that it is wrong to assume that what is bad for annual meadow-grass is good for the finer grasses. To succeed with the finer grasses you need to know better than that. My enemy’s enemy is not necessarily my friend.
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Strength over weakness Each species has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on how it evolved. To favour the finer grasses we need to appreciate their strengths, so they will take over a settled environment. To see off the annual meadow-grass we can play on its weakness. It can be stressed out very easily. This means that we have to be cagey with our maintenance strategy. We need to play on the strengths of the finer grasses to allow them to develop. You can decide to move against the annual meadow grass, given the right opportunity to see it off, but only without upsetting the overall balance. You shouldn’t think that it is necessary to invoke stress all the time because it will hinder the development of the finer grasses. Stress is a short-term ploy to be used with care. You should focus primarily on minimising disturbance to let the finer grasses come. I’ll explain what I mean.
Now That We’re Here The transition from starting point to ‘fine turf heaven’ requires skilled handling. You will need to create a healthy, but settled environment and then bring some stress to bear when the time is right. The stress needs to be controlled for it to remove the meadow grass without adversely affecting the finer species. It will be necessary for you to create your top quality putting surfaces in a way that doesn’t constantly damage the functioning of the finer grasses. Browntop bents and Red fescues aren’t made for rough treatment. You have to stay clear of harming the crown of the plant, so close mowing and regular aggressive verticutting should be avoided. You will need to prepare your surfaces
in a different way. Getting rid of the annual meadow grass is very much the easy bit at the end. You can’t do this kind of ‘light touch’ greenkeeping through prescriptive plans because the environment is different for everyone. You will need to use your better understanding to be able to cope with the changing conditions and still keep the environment where the finer grasses will flourish. I am talking about the art of greenkeeping and about taking care of the finer grasses.
Make a start
Let’s call your starting point a 100% annual meadow grass sward with 3cm of thatch at the turf base above a heavy soil. Start by stop doing what is was you were doing. Think pipe drainage, soil compaction relief, intensive coring and top dressing to get your soil conditions right. Re-appraise your nitrogen and water inputs. Start preparing your surfaces in a manner that doesn’t require intensive verticutting and close mowing. The finer grasses flourish when not constantly damaged. Reduce your fertiliser inputs so that you don’t have to get aggressive. Maintain healthy rather than lush growth. Top dress, brush and roll to maintain fast, smooth and true surfaces on which to play. Overseed at every available opportunity and let the seedlings come through. You will see the wisdom immediately, but do not compromise.
As the finer grasses establish, continue
to keep aggressive treatments to a minimum. In three to four years, with the finer grasses assuming dominance, think about putting some stress on the meadow-grass, but only when you aren’t afraid to lose it.
Let’s call your finishing point
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